Food Stamps Make People Fat

A recent government study found that those on food stamps are more likely to be obese than those not taking the government assistance.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture looked at data from 2007 through 2010, then compared average weights of those on food stamps — officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — to those who weren’t.

The findings, released on Tuesday, are striking. Food stamp recipients are far more likely to be obese than poor people who are eligible but don’t take the help. And they’re even more likely to be obese than those with higher incomes.

Fully 40% of food stamp recipients are obese, the study found, compared with just over 30% of those who don’t participate in the program.

The report also found that children of families on food stamps (SNAP) are also more likely to be obese.

What the report tells us is that the foods government-assistance recipients choose to buy with their benefits are not healthy or are in too great of a quantity. Clearly, no one on food stamps is starving.

What the report also indicates is that Michelle Obama may be targeting the wrong crowd with her school lunch program. The kids hate the food and are throwing it away by the ton, school lunch providers are skirting the rules just to keep kids fed and administrators are struggling under the increased cost of the undesirable foods.

Perhaps the first lady should turn her attention to the diets of food stamp recipients. Maybe they should only be able to buy the foods that her school lunch program allows.

No more french fries, sodas, burgers or pizza – just baked fish and veggies. If the first lady is serious about stopping obesity in America, and especially childhood obesity, this government report shows her exactly where to target.